In South Africa’s agro-processing sector, businesses face constant pressure to maintain productivity, retain skilled workers, and foster a cohesive workforce. What happens in employees’ lives outside the factory floor is often less visible, yet just as critical to good business outcomes. Violence in the home – particularly against women and children – is a pervasive issue in South Africa. And increasingly, it’s being recognised not just as a social problem, but as a workplace one.
Violence at home walks into work with your employees. It affects how people focus, communicate, and perform. The agro-processing sector, known for its long shifts, physical demands, and large numbers of women and low-income workers, is especially vulnerable to these ripple effects.
That’s where Free to Grow comes in – a groundbreaking, workplace-based programme that helps businesses tackle the hidden impact of domestic violence on their workforce while empowering employees to build stronger, safer families.
The hidden cost of domestic violence on your business
Violence against women and children is often thought of as a community or justice issue. But for employers, the consequences are felt daily. Employees experiencing violence at home are more likely to:
- Miss work or arrive late
- Struggle with concentration or emotional regulation
- Engage in interpersonal conflict at work
- Exit the workplace entirely
In sectors like agro-processing, where teamwork, timing and consistency are essential, these disruptions can affect output, team cohesion, and ultimately, your bottom line.
Importantly, the cycle of violence is intergenerational. Employees who were raised in abusive homes may carry those patterns into adulthood, affecting how they relate to colleagues, partners, and their own children. Without intervention, this cycle continues, affecting family and workplace dynamics for years to come.
What is Free to Grow?
Developed through a partnership between the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the Seven Passes Initiative (SPI) and Tikketai, a Western Cape-based agro-processing company, Free to Grow is a 12-week, evidence-informed programme delivered on-site, during working hours. It supports employees through:
- Learning skills to manage stress and regulate their emotions
- Improving interpersonal communication
- Addressing harmful beliefs around gender roles and power in relationships
- Developing nurturing, non-violent parenting skills and supporting working parents
- Building skills to resolve conflict peacefully, whether at home or work
Each session is 90 minutes long, and delivery is designed to fit around operational needs, with staggered participation to avoid disrupting productivity.
Case study: Tikketai’s experience
At Tikketai, where Free to Grow was piloted, management noticed a clear pattern: employees experiencing family violence were frequently absent, disengaged and often involved in on-site conflict. After participating in the programme, employees reported improvements in:
- Communication with their children, partners and colleagues
- Ability to handle stress and conflict without aggression
- Emotional well-being and self-confidence
Management also saw tangible business benefits. Conflict among staff decreased. Teams functioned more smoothly. Productivity improved. As one HR manager put it:
‘It’s as if insight into the lives of fellow employees through undergoing the programme has created more tolerance and greater empathy for each other.’
Why workplace delivery works
Most parenting or violence prevention programmes are delivered in communities, after hours or on weekends – times that are often inaccessible to shift workers, single parents or those who commute long distances.
By offering Free to Grow during paid working hours, businesses remove barriers to access and demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being that builds loyalty and trust. In sectors like agro-processing, where staff turnover can be high, this kind of investment pays off.
Beyond the factory floor
Employees who participated in Free to Grow took the tools and knowledge home. Many shared the skills they learned with their partners, children and extended families. However, what was also significant was that these positive impacts were felt in the workplace as well. This organic ripple effect can be powerful and impactful.
When employees feel supported, understood and able to manage challenges, it transforms the workplace culture. What were once cycles of conflict and resignation have now become stories of growth, resilience and retention.
Why your business should consider programmes like Free to Grow
Agro-processing businesses are uniquely positioned to lead the way in integrating social support into the workplace. By adopting programs like Free to Grow, you’re not just investing in your employees –you’re investing in a stronger, more stable and more productive business environment.
Here’s what your company stands to gain:
- Improved productivity through reduced absenteeism and better focus
- Better employee morale and job satisfaction
- An opportunity to contribute to transformation and build a better future for our country, as families heal from cycles of violence
Ready to Grow?
The success of Free to Grow at Tikketai shows that addressing family violence in the workplace is not only possible – it’s transformative. The programme is scalable, adaptable and ready to be implemented across the agro-processing sector. It could be the catalyst for creating safer, healthier environments for employees and their families, leading to lasting positive change in the sector.
For more information, contact:
Thandi van Heyningen, ISS: tvanheyningen@issafrica.org
